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Youngsters have chance to impress

Scottish Rugby’s under-16 pathway programme got off to a successful start last weekend, as closely-contested games were on show all around the country.

In the Glasgow region, four games were played at Coats Park, home of Cambuslang, with a total of 70 points being scored over the course of the day. The Chiefs finished top of the bunch, recording two wins from as many games.

The east region fixtures attracted a large crowd of almost 800, to the Netherdale 3G Arena, in Gala. Some 150 players participated in the east region pathway fixtures, representing 37 schools and 27 clubs, all competing for a place in the under-16 Edinburgh and Borders sides. Some three games were played with Capital Crusaders, Western Warriors and Western Chargers running out as winners in their respective ties.

In the north, the Caledonia fixtures were played at two separate locations, Woodside Sports Complex and Inchmacoble Park, in Aberdeen and Forfar respectively.

Tayside and Fife recorded a convincing 29-0 victory over Central at Inchmacoble Park, the home of Strathmore, as North-East scraped a 29-24 win against Highlands and Islands in Aberdeen.

This Sunday (17 August), the pathway squads will go head-to-head once again in their final chance to impress coaches ahead of squad selection for their respective regional side.

Grant McKelvey, Scottish Rugby senior regional academy manager, said:

“As always, we fully expect, and know, that we will experience a step-up in the intensity of the games next week.

“Following this Sunday’s round of games, Scottish Rugby’s regional academy coaches will be working closely with the volunteer coaches, who have been involved in the programme, to provide each player with a performance report highlighting their strengths, and parts of their game which may need worked on.

“I’d like to take to thank all our volunteer managers and coaches, our players and all their parents for their continued support throughout this programme.”